The Tesla Model Y compact crossover has finally been introduced – arguably the company’s most important vehicle yet. A quick internet search will turn up similar sentiments written about the Model 3 sedan when the company announced it. But Tesla introduced the Model 3 at a time when consumers were fleeing sedans for crossovers, SUVs, and trucks. The Model Y gives the electric automaker a competitive product in the hot-selling segment. While affordability is still an issue for the masses, Tesla’s introduction has beaten General Motors and Cadillac to the punch for a competitive electric crossover.
However, while Tesla has announced the Model Y will go on sale in the fall of 2020, the company’s reputation for its lack of punctuality could work in Cadillac’s favor as it prepares to launch its electric crossover in 2021.
Earlier this year, General Motors announced Cadillac would spearhead the automaker’s electrification efforts by introducing an all-new electric Cadillac on a new scalable EV architecture by 2021. The new Cadillac is part of GM’s larger plan to launch 20 new EVs by 2023. At least nine individual vehicles will ride on GM’s future EV platform, which will be capable of supporting front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive configurations along with different body styles.Â
It’s difficult to compare Cadillac’s EV with the Model Y because we know so little about Cadillac’s efforts. Unlike Tesla, Cadillac likely won’t release any information until much closer to its reveal or production beginning. However, Tesla has few issues with announcing new products months or years ahead of time, and the company has divulged plenty of Model Y details.Â

Cadillac EV Concept
The long-range, rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model Y will debut first (fall 2020) with a $47,000 price tag with up to 300 miles of electric range. A standard-range Model Y will debut in 2021 with a $39,000 and 230 miles of electric range. A performance version with 280 miles of range and a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds will also be available. All-wheel drive is also available. At first glance, it’s easy to see that the Tesla Model Y shares a lot of the Model 3’s DNA inside and out. The Model Y mimics the profile of the larger Model X without the funky Falcon doors, which should keep quality issues and the price under control.Â
It goes without saying that the Model Y is crucial to Tesla’s success moving forward. The automaker will want to share as many parts with the Model 3 as possible to keep costs under control, which is something Tesla promised with the Model X sharing components with the Model S; however, that didn’t happen as planned. With crossovers being wildly more popular than sedans, Tesla may not be able to sell a Model Y suffering from the quality issues that plagued the Model 3. Â
Tesla will also face some stiff competition in the segment, too, which will only get more crowded in the next few years. Kia has the Niro EV and Soul EV coming. The Niro, for example, is estimated to start a few thousand dollars below the Tesla Model Y standard-range model while offering about 10 more miles of electric range. The Soul EV will start at around $33,000 but will have just 111 miles of range. Porsche will begin building an electric crossover in 2020, as well. General Motors is preparing its electric Cadillac, too, which the company will benchmark against Tesla. Any delay of the Model Y could put it far behind the competition. Â
Comments
Tesla has trouble sticking to deadlines. Well at least they et deadlines which is something that GM can’t seem to do. There should have been several varieties of the Bolt by now. Should have been several varieties of the Volt also. Still think the need to reprieve the Volt drive system and spread it throughout the GM Brands in various types of vehicles. I am talking from the smallest to the biggest and every type of vehicle.
If this is a “Compact Electric SUV” then so is the Bolt…….
The Bolt is subcompact hatchback while the Model Y is a midsize SUV (the SUV classification is loosely defined)…
I highly doubt the Model Y has a Transfer case, a frame and is more than 6 inches off the ground.
Calling the model Y an SUV, is like calling a LTZ Tahoe, an Escalade.
To call something a SUV it doesn’t need transfer case…I have a coworker who refers to her Explorer as a “Jeep”….
Ms Barra, staying ahead of ‘industry disruption’ once again.
Nothing against the company, I think they’re building some good products despite Musk, but It’s gotten to the point where I can’t tell most of their models apart.
I’m also not fond of the lookalike styling and think a few years from now they’re going regret not doing more to differentiate their models. I’ll add, the guys buying the cheaper cars get something that looks close to the higher end cars, but the reverse is also true; the guys shelling out big bucks are getting something that looks just like the cheaper cars. I’m not sure that’s a very good recipe to sell either over the long haul.
The Model Y with the performance option, is just what road rage commuters should be banned from owning.
Most people don’t have any idea how fast and dangerous 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds can be.
NHTSA and Insurance Companies must be concerned about a future with too many drivers opting for this level of performance.
I like fast , but I like it on the open road, without bothering anyone else.
You realize you can buy a cheaper Model 3 now which has a 0-60 of 3.2; the world record is 3.13 yet someone added lightweight staggered rims and wider sticky tires…
Not to mention Model S’s running 0-60 in the 2’s
after all the hype, this is a letdown. they’ve basically grafted the 3’s face to the x’s rear neither of which i find particularly appealing.
the vehicle won’t be available for at least another year and a half. with tesla, you should round it up to at least 2. in the next two years, i’d bet we’re going to see cadillac ev models that make this look even more the generic blob it already is today.
tesla is saying there is seating for 7. that has got to be a joke.
The Model Y is based on existing Model 3 mechanicals and perhaps hits the industry’s hottest selling segment, so I don’t see any downside for Tesla. The performance option has supercar 0-60 numbers. The black trim makes it look rather sporty to boot.
A lot of doubters have come out of the woodwork dinging the Model Y on derivative styling, uninspiring design, etc. In spite of that, Tesla checks all the boxes
– USA built
– Styling that’s respectable — not weird!
– Performance that is the BMW M of EVs
– Respected brand
I don’t think a prospective Tesla customer would actually buy an electrified Hyundai, opt for a Bolt or wait for a Cadillac EV that looks like a computer drawing. I hate to say it but it’s nearly game over…
the game just got started and other manufacturers are have a $7500 advantage. so no, the game isn’t over.
Aside from Jaguar, no one has built an EV that competes in the luxury space, and the Jag offers questionable value. Other automakers will need the 7500 just to offset the excess baggage Tesla doesn’t carry – never mind being several years behind, relying on others infrastructure, etc.
We’re still in the late stages of denial of industry disruption. Textbook stuff.
does that excess baggage include the billions automakers make off ICE vehicles?
the model y is tesla’s equivalent of going for par instead of eagle. so that disruptor street cred might be wearing thin.
that would explain the underwhelming response this vehicle has received.
That’s the funny part — for Tesla, going par, not eagle, is all they need to fill the lucrative mid-size crossover segment — not redefining themselves. Their job has finally gotten easier. I enjoy the chilly reception which is driving down their stock price, because these Y’s will sell like hotcakes and you can bet there will be lots of pre-orders.
I see industry analysts saying there will be lots of competition from Hyundai, Chevrolet and others — from what I see, all the competition looks like econo-cars and maybe in 2020 we’ll see some competitors in the stratospheric price range from Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, etc. Maybe some real competition by 2025? By that time, Tesla will be the incumbent.
As for GM, they need to figure out how to get out of their own way to succeed in the EV space, which is no small task for a company that can’t even hold onto the ball for its pickup truck interiors, which have slid to bottom of class. The Cadillac leadership experiment has failed and is maybe on its final restart — in no small part because the folks who made progress in the early 2000s all departed. GM is still trying to support 4 brands, for crying out loud and still has too many dealerships — that’s all baggage. I’m sure if they can keep trimming fat and remain profitable until there’s nothing left to cut, but product leadership? The only thing that might fly is Cruise, but in the same way that Foot Locker is all that remains of the FW Woolworth empire.
I grew up on GM cars and still have a late model Caddy that gets thumbs up on the road, but the past 5 years have been a head-scratcher for me.
It’s the Tesla that looks like an anonymous cold computer drawing. No thanks the game is far from over
Sounds like I triggered some emotions, but it’s hard to make up for 10yrs of lost time.
I hope GM pulls it off, but someone show me some recent records of execution. They certainly did not capitalize on the Bolt or any other electric vehicle.
Everybody beats GM….That’s the issue!
Cadillac better beat that 300 mile range and be somewhat close in performance.
Yes because we all new CUV’s that do 0-60 in under 4 seconds?
For me, they come too late on the luxury electric car (SUV) market. Cadillac has to improve the reliability of its products and their customer experience. But if they want to succeed, Cadillac must launch a war of the range and the charging times with a technology more advanced than their competitors and not only following with their supplier’s technology, LG which supplies other carmakers. Tesla has just buy Maxwell to get a technology (dry battery electrode) which will enable them to maintain their supremacy.
Introducing a new model vs when it actually gets to market are two different things at Tesla. Will it be 6 months or 2 years if you order one today?
Yes they said $39k base price but it will be reaching closer to $60k by 5he time you get what you want in it.
Finally 3.3 seconds to 60 mph mean little to the average driver. Also if you do that more than a couple times you lose a ton of range. If it is cold even more range.
The final observation is will the quality be an issue as it has been on the 3?
The truth is being first or early is not what is key here. Getting it right and making money with it that is key. The EV market is 2% of the market and s slow growth segment. Profits and building what people want in good quality is the only way to grow this segment.
You should look up how much range is lost when a Model 3 Performance does a 0-60 romp; cold weather affects range in all vehicles including ICE…
While demand has greatly decreased for the higher trim Model 3 in the US, the Model 3 is one of the best selling sedans…Once Tesla start delivering the $35K version, it will most likely be the best selling car/sedan out there…That could make EVs the FASTEST growing segment…Even Porsche decided to double their EV production numbers based on demand…No offers an semi-affordable and compelling EV until the model 3…It’ll be a minimum of two years before you can buy the base Model Y
The future is NOT GM… I love this company but they’re doing nothing well or right. No one on this site wishes GM to fail we all want them to succeed but ever time they fail or deliver junk… can they not spend $200 more per car to give a wonderful interior? I’ll bet that’s all it would take, on scale?
This pick up is as pretty as a rat with a gold tooth. It’s ugly, cheap AND expensive…
Building cars to a price point is a series of choices. Do you think Tesla’s only option was a single display for the model 3? Or for the Bolt to have non power seats or semi independent rear suspension? They are all choices to reach a price point. You might not like them, but I’m sure the companies know their markets.
I always enjoy looking at Tesla’s prices on their site. The current lowest priced Model Y is $42,700 after savings. Before savings it’s $47,000. That is $47,000 is actually the price. The $42,700 is an estimate based upon average mileage driven and the relative estimated cost per kwh of electricity vs. price per gallon of gas. YMMV of course. Along with your actual savings. Quite disingenuous…
GM possessing the technology, spending billions to develop it, means nothing. Another great example was Volt, it’s failure, and how Honda Clarity is already outselling.
Bolt is another said reminder developed right as GM quit Europe–the perfect location for the vehicle.
First does not equal winner whether we are talking Tesla or GM. I think FCA may have the smartest approach by buying from outside vendors and being an automaker instead of a start up.
You must not have read where Honda and GM worked together on PHEV and fuel cell technology. Ever wonder how much Honda’s technology looks like GM’s for the Clarity PHEV.
Looks like a boring Model 3 that was puffed up. And I’ll believe it when I actually see them driving on the road for a 2020 reveal.
A 4 door sedan. But regarding the “hatchback”, it looks like according to the aluminum frame, it will be more like a trunk door. Still able to put a surfboard in through the rear. and if want enhance your care quality so have need some accessories.